While the conventional Edge gets a peppy 2.0-liter turbo I-4, the ST gets the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V-6 and the first use of Ford's new eight-speed with stop/start.

On the handling course, the ST is a ball of fire, Frank Markus said, "with minimal tire noise, well-buttoned-down body motions, and a terrific engine snarl." Conversely, the Titanium was clunky with some brake stuttering at low speeds. The suspension did not do enough to quiet the ride and paled in comparison to the ST's damping. Lane centering was as good as we've seen from Ford.

Inside, the e-shifter with rotary dial gearshift frees up console space, and editors praised the improvements to the Sync 3 infotainment system. Some felt the new Titanium trim was not premium enough to top the lineup, as metal etched to look like carbon fiber tried valiantly to break up an interior crowded with too much hard black plastic.

The ST might be a game changer for crossovers even if it falls short of the dynamic benchmarks set by the Fiesta ST and Focus ST. Judges agreed the ST has speed, power, grip, and sound but not the personality or playfulness of an ST. Not that anyone will take it to the track, but Kim Reynolds nonetheless called it a "lowercase 'st. '" Angus MacKenzie felt the SUV was somehow less than the sum of its parts.

It's a great start, Christian Seabaugh said. But it's missing the X-factor that makes other STs so special.